Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that his country harbors “no aggressive intentions” against any state as it marked 28th anniversary of its nuclear tests.
Pakistan began a program to obtain nuclear weapons after the 1971 war which led to the division of the country and the creation of Bangladesh, then East Pakistan. Islamabad sees its nuclear weapons as essential to offset the conventional superiority of its much bigger neighbor, India. India sees its own nuclear weapons as a deterrent against Pakistan and China, which defeated it in a border war in 1962.
Pakistan tested nuclear weapons in May 1998, shortly after India announced it had done so and celebrates the day as Youm-e-Takbeer each year. This year, the 28th anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear test comes at a time of prevailing tensions between the neighbors since they fought a four-day military conflict in May last year. Both countries have fought three full-scale wars, including two over the disputed Kashmir region, since their independence.
“Youm-e-Takbeer marks a defining moment in Pakistan’s history when the entire nation demonstrated unwavering resolve, national unity, and extraordinary courage by emerging as a nuclear power,” PM Sharif said in his message on the day.
“We have made it unequivocally clear to the world that Pakistan harbors no aggressive intentions; however, we fully reserve the right to defend our homeland.”
Both India and Pakistan faced international sanctions as a result of testing nukes in 1998, although India has since won effective recognition as a nuclear power, following an accord negotiated with the United States. Neither Pakistan, nor India, have signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists estimates Pakistan’s arsenal at about 170 warheads. These can be delivered by aircraft, or by missiles. The country nuclear program is controlled by the army and run by the Strategic Plans Division.
In a joint statement, Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, on behalf of armed forces of Pakistan, extended heartfelt felicitations to the Pakistan people on the day.
“Pakistan’s strategic capability remains a sacred national trust and a guarantor of peace, stability, territorial integrity and credible deterrence in the region,” the Pakistani military said in a statement.
“This historic achievement is a testament to the visionary leadership, remarkable contributions of our scientists and engineers, and the sacrifices of the Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan.”
